as an HIV tester and facilitator of the DC Real Talk Workshop. By working in this capacity, I am gaining a broadened perspective on the importance of education, screening, and treatment in the fight against sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. Most importantly, I learned the importance of meticulous data collection and analysis to provide evidence of the burden of a disease within certain communities. This data collection and analysis is where I believe I can contribute to the field of public health. Finally, current experience shows me the need for epidemiological work. Areas of Washington, DC that have the fewest healthcare resources tend to have the highest concentrations of HIV. I know which areas lack resources since I live in southeast DC. However, to articulate this disparity, quantitative data is a necessity. I have found that when I express the need for oral swab testing for STDs for young people, it is through the display of bar graphs that adds substance to my argument. Therefore, committed to helping people receive resources, I understand that data is key to raising sufficient resources